Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the concept of a "term" can refer to a specific period, boundary, or condition established by God or man. The Bible often uses terms to define the limits of time, space, or covenantal agreements. Understanding these terms is crucial for interpreting biblical narratives and theological principles.
Time and SeasonsThe Bible frequently speaks of terms in relation to time.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 states, "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." This passage highlights the divinely appointed times and seasons that govern human existence. The term "season" here indicates a fixed period during which certain activities or events are appropriate, reflecting God's sovereign control over time.
In the prophetic literature, terms are often used to denote specific periods of judgment or blessing. For example, in
Daniel 9:24, the "seventy weeks" are a divinely determined term for the fulfillment of God's plan for Israel. Similarly, in the New Testament, Jesus speaks of the "times of the Gentiles" in
Luke 21:24, indicating a period during which Gentile nations would have dominion, which is to be fulfilled according to God's timetable.
Covenantal TermsTerms are also significant in the context of covenants. Biblical covenants often include specific terms or conditions that define the relationship between God and His people. In
Genesis 17:9-14, God establishes the covenant of circumcision with Abraham, setting forth the terms that Abraham and his descendants must follow. These terms serve as a sign of the covenant and a reminder of the obligations and promises involved.
The Mosaic Covenant, given at Mount Sinai, is another example where terms are explicitly outlined. The Ten Commandments and the subsequent laws in Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy provide the terms by which Israel is to live in relationship with God.
Deuteronomy 28 details the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, underscoring the conditional nature of this covenant.
Boundaries and LandIn the Old Testament, terms often refer to physical boundaries, particularly concerning the Promised Land. In
Numbers 34:1-12, God provides Moses with the specific boundaries of the land that Israel is to inherit. These terms define the extent of the land and serve as a tangible expression of God's promise to Abraham and his descendants.
The concept of boundaries extends beyond physical land to include moral and ethical limits.
Proverbs 22:28 advises, "Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors." This verse underscores the importance of respecting established limits, whether they pertain to property or moral conduct.
Eschatological TermsIn eschatological contexts, terms are used to describe the culmination of history and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The "last days" or "end times" are terms that appear in both the Old and New Testaments, referring to the period leading up to the return of Christ and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. In
2 Timothy 3:1, Paul warns, "But understand this: In the last days, terrible times will come." This term serves as a reminder of the moral and spiritual challenges that will characterize the end of the age.
Revelation 20:1-6 describes the "thousand years," a term that has been the subject of various interpretations regarding the millennial reign of Christ. Whether understood literally or symbolically, this term signifies a distinct period in God's eschatological timeline.
ConclusionThe concept of a "term" in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from temporal periods and covenantal conditions to physical boundaries and eschatological events. Each usage reflects the order and purpose inherent in God's creation and His dealings with humanity. Understanding these terms is essential for a comprehensive grasp of biblical theology and the unfolding of God's plan throughout history.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) That which limits the extent of anything; limit; extremity; bound; boundary.
2. (n.) The time for which anything lasts; any limited time; as, a term of five years; the term of life.
3. (n.) In universities, schools, etc., a definite continuous period during which instruction is regularly given to students; as, the school year is divided into three terms.
4. (n.) A point, line, or superficies, that limits; as, a line is the term of a superficies, and a superficies is the term of a solid.
5. (n.) A fixed period of time; a prescribed duration
6. (n.) The limitation of an estate; or rather, the whole time for which an estate is granted, as for the term of a life or lives, or for a term of years.
7. (n.) A space of time granted to a debtor for discharging his obligation.
8. (n.) The time in which a court is held or is open for the trial of causes.
9. (n.) The subject or the predicate of a proposition; one of the three component parts of a syllogism, each one of which is used twice.
10. (n.) A word or expression; specifically, one that has a precisely limited meaning in certain relations and uses, or is peculiar to a science, art, profession, or the like; as, a technical term.
11. (n.) A quadrangular pillar, adorned on the top with the figure of a head, as of a man, woman, or satyr; -- called also terminal figure. See Terminus, n., 2 and 3.
12. (n.) A member of a compound quantity; as, a or b in a + b; ab or cd in ab - cd.
13. (n.) The menses.
14. (n.) Propositions or promises, as in contracts, which, when assented to or accepted by another, settle the contract and bind the parties; conditions.
15. (n.) In Scotland, the time fixed for the payment of rents.
16. (n.) A piece of carved work placed under each end of the taffrail.
17. (n.) To apply a term to; to name; to call; to denominate.
Greek
444. anthropos -- a man, human, mankind... human race. 444 -- , also the generic
term for ""; the human race; people,
including and men (Mt 4:19, 12:12, etc.). 444 () relates
...5010. taxis -- an arranging, order
... See 5021 (). [5010 ("orderly array") was a militaryterm in ancient Greece and... 5010 (),
as an ancient militaryterm, describes an ("cohort") -- descending ....
3126. mamonas -- riches
... property. 3126 -- a Semiticterm for "the treasure a person trusts in" (J.
Thayer) who is transliterated as ".". [3126 () is probably...
4469. rhaka -- empty (an expression of contempt)
... 4469 (apparently related to the Aramaicterm , "empty") -- properly, .
Thisterm expressed contempt for a man's , viewing him as...
4990. soter -- a savior, deliverer
... [4990 ("Savior") is the root of the theologicalterm, ("the study of through Christ").
Thisterm is also spelled "soteriology," but with the same meaning.]....
2992. laos -- the people
... 2992 (the root of the Englishterm, "") - a , particularly used of "the
people of the Lord" (= Heb ). 2992 () is the usualterm...
993. Boanerges -- Boanerges, an epithet applied to the two sons of...
... 993 -- an Aramaicterm transliterated from two Semitic roots: ("sons")
and ("of thunder, tumult"; see Strong's OT #1123, 7285)....
1783. enteuxis -- a petition, ie spec. supplication
... Spelling: (ent'-yook-sis) Short Definition: a petition, prayer, intercession Definition:
(lit: approaching the king, hence a technicalterm), a petition, prayer...
3056. logos -- a word (as embodying an idea), a statement, a...
... [3056 () is a commonterm (used 330 times in the NT) with regards to a person
sharing a message (discourse, "communication-speech")....
2655. katanarkao -- to grow numb
... Verb Transliteration: katanarkao Phonetic Spelling: (kat-an-ar-kah'-o) Short Definition:
I burden, encumber Definition: (properly a medicalterm: I stupefy...
Strong's Hebrew
4387. Miktam -- a technicalterm in psalm titles.... 4386, 4387. Miktam. 4388 . a technical
term in psalm titles.
... Word Origin of
uncertain derivation Definition a technical
term in psalm titles. Michtam
...5345. neqeb -- perhaps sockets (technicalterm of jeweler's work)
... 5344b, 5345. neqeb. 5346 . perhaps sockets (technicalterm of jeweler's work).
Transliteration: neqeb Phonetic Spelling: (neh'keb) Short Definition: sockets...
1665. Gittith -- a musicalterm of unc. meaning.
... 1664, 1665. Gittith. 1666 . a musicalterm of unc. meaning.... Word Origin fem.
of Gitti Definition a musicalterm of unc. meaning. Gittith...
91. Agagi -- a descriptiveterm for Haman
... 90, 91. Agagi. 92 . a descriptiveterm for Haman. Transliteration: Agagi
Phonetic Spelling: (ag-aw-ghee') Short Definition: Agagite....
6497. peqaim -- gourd (shaped) ornaments
... a semi-globe. From an unused root meaning to burst; only used as an architectural
term of an ornament similar to paqqu'ah, a semi-globe -- knop....
8449. tor -- turtledove
... estate. Or tor {tore}; probably the same as towr; a ring-dove, often (figuratively)
as aterm of endearment -- (turtle) dove. see HEBREW towr. 8448, 8449....
6235. eser -- ten
... ten, seventeen. Masculine ofterm aasarah {as-aw-raw'}; from asar; ten (as an
accumulation to the extent of the digits) -- ten, (fif-, seven-)teen....
3117. yom -- day
... hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next),
or figurative (a space of time defined by an associatedterm), (often used...
559. amar -- to utter, say
... X expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise, publish, report, require,
say, speak (against, of), X still, X suppose, talk, tell,term, X that is...
5646. ab -- perhaps a landing
... Or sob {obe}; from an unused root meaning to cover; properly, equivalent to ab;
but used only as an architecturalterm, an architrave (as shading the pillars...
Library
Of theTerm "Enigma," and of Tropical Modes of Speech.
... Book XV. Chapter 9."Of theTerm "Enigma," And of Tropical Modes of Speech.
15. What has been said relates to the words of the...
Of theTerm Mass.
... Part 33 Of theTerm Mass. The adversaries also refer us to philology. From... God.
Thus theterm Leitourgia agrees aptly with the ministry....
The End orTerm of the Production of Man (Nine Articles)
... THE END ORTERM OF THE PRODUCTION OF MAN (NINE ARTICLES). We now treat
of the end orterm of man's production, inasmuch as he is...
Of the contemporaryterm of the Interior Court, and the Battle...
... Of the contemporaryterm of the Interior Court, and the Battle between the Dragon
and Michael concerning the Man Child, with the first Six Seals....
Whether Death Will be theTerm "Wherefrom" of the Resurrection in...
... OF THETERM "WHEREFROM" OF THE RESURRECTION (THREE ARTICLES) Whether death will
be theterm "wherefrom" of the resurrection in all cases?...
Of theTerm "Wherefrom" of the Resurrection (Three Articles)
... OF THETERM "WHEREFROM" OF THE RESURRECTION (THREE ARTICLES).... (1) Whether death
is theterm "wherefrom" of the resurrection in every case?...
Whether thisTerm "Person" Can be Common to the Three Persons?
... THE PLURALITY OF PERSONS IN GOD (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether thisterm "person"
can be common to the three persons? Objection 1: It would...
Spirit --ATerm Expressive of an Operation of the Soul, not of Its...
... Chapter XI."Spirit"ATerm Expressive of an Operation of the Soul, Not of Its
Nature To Be Carefully Distinguished from the Spirit of God....
Whether Several Persons Can be theTerm of one Notional Act?
... OF THE PERSONS IN REFERENCE TO THE NOTIONAL ACTS (SIX ARTICLES) Whether several
persons can be theterm of one notional act? Objection...
Introductory Remarks. 1 theTerm Hermeneutics (Greek...
... PRINCIPLES OF BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION. CHAPTER XXXIII. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.
1. Theterm Hermeneutics (Greek... CHAPTER XXXIII....
Thesaurus
Term (4 Occurrences)... bound; boundary. 2. (n.) The time for which anything lasts; any limited time;
as, a
term of five years; the
term of life. 3. (n.) In
...Polygamy
... POLYGAMY. po-lig'-a-mi: 1. Meaning of theTerm 2. Origin of Polygamy 3. The Old
Testament and Polygamy 4. Polygamy Unnatural The Eunuch 5. Weakness of Polygamy...
Magistrate (9 Occurrences)
... rendered "magistrate" (Luke 12:58; Titus 3:1), means one first in power, and hence
a prince, as in Matthew 20:25, 1 Corinthians 2:6, 8. Thisterm is used of...
Sacraments
... sak'-ra-ments: 1. TheTerm: The word "sacrament" comes from the Latin sacramentum,
which in the classical period of the language was used in two chief senses...
Lutheran
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BAPTISM (LUTHERAN DOCTRINE). I. THETERM 1. The Derivation
2. The Meaning 3. The Application 4. Equivalent Terms II.... I. TheTerm....
Nightmonster
... Paucity of References 2. References in Highly Poetical Passages 3. The References
Allusive 4. Possibility of Non-mythological Interpretation 5. TheTerm Lilith...
Night-monster
... Paucity of References 2. References in Highly Poetical Passages 3. The References
Allusive 4. Possibility of Non-mythological Interpretation 5. TheTerm Lilith...
Imputation
... IMPUTATION. im-pu-ta'-shun: I. MEANING AND USE OF THETERM II. THE THREEFOLD USE
OF THETERM IN THEOLOGY Original Sin, Atonement, Justification III....
Vulgate
... 1. Present Usage: Theterm "Vulgate" with us means but one thing-the standard
authoritative Bible of the Latin or Roman church, prepared mostly by the labors...
Drink (414 Occurrences)
... Originally shekhar seems to have been a generalterm for intoxicating drinks of
all kinds, without reference to the material out of which they were made; and...
Resources
What are the pros and cons of short-term missions? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of the term Christian? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Moors? | GotQuestions.orgTerm: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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